Criminal Appeals, Habeas Corpus, and Criminal Law

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Every day in Austin people are arrested for crimes. Sometimes these folks are guilty of the offenses they’re accused of committing and other times they aren’t. Some folks are arrested for felonies while others are arrested for a misdemeanor offense. Regardless of which offense a person is accused of, the legal standard of innocent until proven guilty must apply which, in turn, guarantees a person’s release from jail pending trial.

In other words, pre-trial jail release.

Planned Pre-Trial Jail Release Services

Austin, TX Jail Release Attorneys

If you’ve been arrested, know you will be arrested, or have a friend or relative locked up in the Travis County jail, you can get them out of jail on the cheap when compared to bail bonds service, and have the funds paid towards their release to apply to their legal defense funds. All you would need to do is contact an Austin jail release attorney to secure their release from jail, or to begin to the process of doing so.

It’s important to get your people out of the county jail as soon as possible for a number of reasons. Below I’ve listed some of the main reasons to get your loved one out of jail as soon as possible.

The health and safety of the inmate becomes increasingly compromised the longer they’re an inmate in any county jail in Texas.

The ability for the inmate to maintain their job and family are compromised, leading to more societal damages.

The defendants needs to be free to help his criminal defense lawyer to gather the evidence and other information needed to fight the criminal charges that got them in jail in the first place.

As you can see, a person locked up in jail without a guilty finding hurts society in numerous ways. Judges in Travis County, Austin, and throughout Texas understand the standard of the presumption of innocence and what it means to society and they’re often willing, as required by law, to pass rulings in favor of the concept. This means that the money the inmate has completed the jail booking process, they can freed and released from jail. If a friend or relative of yours is locked up in the Travis County jail, you now know the truth about your options to bring them home on the cheap using an Austin jail release attorney as opposed to a bail bonds agent.

All businesses, whether small or big are vulnerable to the threat of crime such as theft. Some companies like retail stores, banks, and convenience stores may be more target for petty thieves and criminals. However, a large number of businesses choose to hire Houston security guard services. They can be used to maintain security, prevent crime and offer customer service. The following are benefits of hiring security guards at your business.

Security Guards Prevent Crime

Having security guards at your business will deter any unwanted behavior. Criminals and thieves will always think twice before breaking into any businesses that has security guards. Qualified guards are highly trained to look out for any suspicious person or activities on the spot. Also, they can assess a situation and react to it quickly. Hiring security guards is an indication that you are taking the safety of your business very seriously.

Handling crimes on your behalf

Let’s face, for some of the people in Houston, times can be tough. Security guards receive different level of training when it comes to handling crimes. Some may decide to only take down the details and contact the police officers. While other guards are allowed to detain the suspects. As such, it is up to business owner to decide whether to hire armed or unarmed guards. Also their business can decide on what procedures should put in place when handling the suspect in time of crime. Ensure that you hire properly trained and licensed guards from a reputable organization.

Promotes good customer service

Houston security guards and commissioned officers can also work as customer service representative for your business. A guard may be used to manage the front desk or to control access to the premises. This will create a greater interaction with your clients enhancing a better customer service. They may also be used to direct people to the right direction or products. Therefore, guards should have great communication skills so that they can interact clearly with the clients.

They offer a sense of security

Hiring security guards at your company provides peace of mind to the business owner, employees and the customers. Security guards offer a sense of security to the people. If you work in high risk area, it is advisable that you employ qualified guards. This enables the customers to see that you care about their safety.

On Premise Security Patrols

Even if most guards are employed to patrol the business property, some are employed for monitoring purposes. A security expert can be employed to check credentials, check for contraband, monitor video surveillance or even restrict access to a certain area. Security guards acquire a lot of training in different fields and so they can be able to handle different types of crimes. Each guard may have specific goal such as keeping an eye on ground after the business has been closed or opening and closing of the business. The security guards takes all the security responsibility enabling them to concentrate on their work.

Whether your business is small or in case you own a large company, employing security guard is very crucial. Hiring guards are imperative because they provide a sense of security to the employees and the customers. When employees feel safe, they tend to be more productive.

You assume at 67, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant who had earned the diamond within the chevron on his sleeve would emanate an air of respect. Like a policeman, you would find a kindred trust for the man who had once been attired in such a symbolic uniform. After all, his was an honorary rank.

So why would a man presumed of sound mind, enter the annals of pedophilia?

Some child molesters emerge from bushes intent on molesting children on their way to or home from school. Others are friendly neighbors, attentive shopkeepers or relative sons of friends who are much too willing to babysit children. For free.

Still others, like Donald Travers, prefer to prey on minors from behind the drawn curtains of his home. It’s a private matter. It’s a disease that overwhelms him and one he cannot control as he trolls Craigslist. It’s an obsession that will not be satisfied until his job is done.

Craigslist

His dark, sinister eyes scan the ads until they reside upon one in particular. This one has a different flavor. He is a troll of a certain caliber. He doesn’t write the posts this time; he replies to them, particularly to those that inflame his inner embers. He has done the groundwork but still, he remains unsated. The incessant desire to maintain himself are the leavings of a dangerous human being. He harbors an unhealthy sexual interest in children.

He replies to the ad. “If you want to meet a woman of 35 and talk drop me an email.” Travers loses no time and promptly replies. “Hi. Let’s meet and talk. I’m a 45 yo white guy.”

The response he receives is pleasing and his blood sluices through his veins. “Hope you don’t mind. My kids are spending the weekend after next with their father so I can’t meet till then. I hope that’s okay.”

Travers can hardly contain himself. However, he has lied about his age and is haunted by the inevitable shock the young woman will receive when they finally meet. What he is clearly unaware of is the author of the ad. A seasoned police detective, Glenys Roberts has been assigned to her department’s Crimes Against Children Unit. She is highly trained.

The emails continue throughout the week and Travers becomes insistent. “How old are your children?” Ironically, he has been regularly posting ads for “Free Babysitting” in which he volunteers to watch people’s daughters free of charge. He tells Glenys Roberts in a bid to win her trust.

Roberts immediately searches Craigslist for the ads and unearths three that have only recently been posted. “I’m not really 35,” she writes desperately dangling the proverbial carrot, fearful she is losing him. “I lied. I’m 15 and way too young to have kids. But my parents are going away for that weekend and if you want we can still talk.”

When Travers is rewarded with an answer that will throw kindling over the already flaming embers he knows he will find it difficult to refuse her, nevertheless, he cools the lines of communication and becomes less desperate to make contact.

Roberts, frustrated by the communication breakdown, responds to Travers latest ad for a babysitter under a new persona. She adopts the voice of a twelve year-old girl who has a seven year-old sister and the conversation quickly emigrates to Yahoo Instant Messenger. Travers asks for “a pic or two to prove you’re real”.

In reply, Roberts sends him two pictures; one is of two little girls wearing matching pink bikinis on a beach. Travers excitedly reciprocates with one image of a man’s face and one of an erect penis. He also provides his phone number. The number comes from the vicinity of Houston Texas.

Now all Roberts had to do is find Travers.

The Criminal Trial

Glenys Roberts serves a subpoena for Travers’ phone number which returns promising results. It belongs to 67 year-old Donald Leonard Travers who hasn’t even bothered to disguise his electronic identity. When Roberts obtains a photograph from the motor vehicle records, she knows she has her target. Face to face, his matches the photograph he has sent to her twelve year-old alter ego.

Roberts arranges to meet Travers who asks her and her sister to ride their bikes to the McDonald’s carpark. He will then have sex with her in his car while her younger sister watches and afterwards, he will take them home.

At 5 pm as the sun dips low toward the horizon, the McDonald’s carpark is crawling with plain clothed police who covertly wait as Travers pulls naively into the lot. The Hyundai circles once and then parks at the furthermost reaches under the trees. Travers is immediately placed under arrest.

Court Proceedings

Solicitation of a child involves a defendant asking or engaging in a conversation with a minor and during the course of that conversation, the defendant asks (or solicits) the minor to meet them for the purpose of engaging in a sexual act.

Travers signs a plea deal for one count of facility to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. He is then sent to live under the roof of his parents where he will await sentencing. He is ordered to refrain from any involvement in pornography and Craigslist.

The prospect of imprisonment clearly sends ice through his veins and the fact that he has indulged in online solicitation means he would be charged with the initial penalty and the long-term consequences. Because the charge does not require an accomplished act with a minor, he will still be charged for communicating with a view to engaging in sexual activity and carnal knowledge of a child.

Online solicitation laws have changed as technology has expanded and evolved. Any person using the Internet or chat rooms to initiate sexual encounters with a minor, or the conversation includes a request for the child to meet in order to engage in sexual activity, will have the defendant charged with solicitation.

Defenses for the Charged

Solicitation laws are frequently challenged.

Their right to free speech

Actual communication with a child online posing as another child

Involvement in a relationship with a child who was not more than three years younger than the defendant

The online conversation was simply a fantasy that was being acted out

The judge is appalled. And passes down the sentence.

The Sentence

Travers is aware that his trolling online and his solicitation of a minor is his entertainment; a fantasy he cannot control. Regardless of his plight, this kind of lewd behavior is classified as a felony level offense and Travers will have to get used to life in prison for a minimum of ten years. Thereafter, will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Detective Glenys Roberts knows the Internet is a mammoth communications network on which a broad range of pedophiles troll through countless sites. She is also aware that despite the perceived anonymity, most Internet-enabled crimes have an inbuilt component that assists in identifying trolls.

Offenders are eventually forced to email or instant message their targets if they’re to meet and close the deal.

The police have all the necessary tools in place to subpoena and eventually arrest these desperadoes.

In April, 2017, two men were arrested in Houston, Texas for manufacturing and distributing Kush, also known as synthetic marijuana. These alleged drug distributors are about to make the most important decision of their lives. Choosing the right attorney is vital in this criminal case, the maximum punishment is life in prison.

Minimum or Maximum Sentence

Additionally, Texas drug laws are some of the strictest in the country. With an expert attorney, the sentences for possession of this $2.5 million worth of Kush can be the minimum, as low as five years in a state prison and a $10,000 fine.

Knowledgeable Defense Attorneys

Criminal lawyers with extensive experience interpreting The Texas Penal Code and The Texas Controlled Substances Act can provide will present the best defense. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg essentially has the substantial evidence, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo’s investigation began in September 2016.

Kush and Houston

Also known as K2, Kush is a mixture of various herbs combined with chemical fluids. During 2016 the number of people were treated for overdoses on the fake drug increased substantially in Houston. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported poison centers saw a 221% national increase in calls regarding Kush. Many addicts use Kush as an alternative to crack cocaine. Although abuse of the drug is nationwide, Houston in particular developed a reputation as the place to buy the drug. Mayor Sylvester Turner implemented a hard-liner plan to address the Kush epidemic throughout the city.

These gentlemen face a zealous prosecution. The best defense is a good offense, experienced drug defense lawyers can develop the best strategies for the trial. It will be an uphill battle, after all, the defendants were arrested in an empty apartment with drug paraphernalia and manufacturing equipment. Additionally, an actual delivery was witnessed.

The Kush Epidemic of Houston, TX

When you hear private eye what comes to mind? A man wearing a hat and a trench coat sitting in his car doing surveillance. Or does your mind drift to old television shows that depict a private investigator in action. He’s sitting outside someone’s home camera in hand with folders spread out on the seat next to him. Tailing a subject around town while trying to be inconspicuous. Interviewing people trying to find just the right information for his client. While some of these activities are pertinent to the job, what is shown on television and read in novels is not really all private investigation is about.

Private Investigators In Texas are not created equal.

There are many specialties among the private investigation industry. Some Houston private investigators specialize in one area like criminal defense or insurance fraud, while others offer a variety of specialties. While many of the specialties may crossover such as surveillance and backgrounds checks, there are many types of private investigators.

Fraud Investigators

Fraud is one specialty in the field. This can range from insurance fraud, welfare fraud, identity theft, pyramid schemes, and more. Another area is criminal investigations.

Criminal Detectives

Private investigators can work with law firms to help them get evidence for their cases. Defense attorneys and prosecutors can benefit from working with an investigator on their case.

Some investigators specialize in accident reconstructions. In this area the investigator will evaluate the cause of an accident and determine where it was located. They can work with insurance companies or law firms helping them figure out liability, provide answers, and gather evidence for court.

These examples are just a fraction of the different areas that comprise the field of private investigations.

Private Investigators Don’t Break the Law

Texas Private Investigators are upheld to high standards. They work hard to attain their position and will not jeopardize their livelihood by participating in illegal activities for the sake of a client. Many people believe that investigators participate in illegal activities such as breaking and entering, hacking, and trespass, record conversations with consent, or film people who are inside their home. They are not allowed to break the law to get their job done. Investigations must be completed within the confounds of the law.

All investigators are required to be licensed. Most states have stringent requirements that requires years of work to attain. Upon completing thousands of hours of work, the private investigators exam taken and passed.

Investigators cannot impersonate law enforcement officers under any circumstances. They can’t even give an implication that they are a police officer. Investigators must let individuals know that their identity. People are more forth telling when they see a badge or think someone is an officer. A private investigator is not allowed to mislead people to get information. An investigator participating in this practice would be prosecuted and have his license revoked.

A Day In The Life.

A job as a private investigator is a job like no other. No two days are alike. One day an investigator can be doing surveillance, the next he could be searching for a missing person, the next he could be performing background checks. Investigations can take weeks and months to complete. It takes patience to continue on when things go stale. But the investigator must push through to get all the information they can to help their client.

People also assume that Houston private investigators are put in danger on a consistent basis. While there is some danger involved when conducting investigations it doesn’t occur as often as people think.

When we go out and do things to enjoy our lives last thing we expected to be caught up in some kind of a tort battle or to pay for our attempt at a time with some form of personal injury. This often happens more than some of us may care to think about. People get hurt all the time when they are out and about doing the things that makes life worth living. If you happen to sustain some form of injury while on the premises of a business it’s important that you realize that you have the option to sue and you will probably win if you can show the court that the business was negligent in some way.

Some of the most common claims in which people end up suing businesses and corporations, with regard to personal injury claims, occur in businesses mainly focused on dining, shopping, and extracurricular activities or sporting.

Personal Injury Attorneys In Houston, TX

All businesses owe their clients a duty of care which must not be breached as it may cause undue harm to their clients and customers. This is most often times because of negligence rather than incidents that can be deemed unpredictable in nature. However, whether you were injured in a freak accident, or because of negligence, an experienced Houston personal injury lawyer will need to be consulted so you can be made well aware of your best legal options.

Depending on which lawyer you talk with you could be to tens of thousands, or even in some cases hundreds of thousands of dollars for your claim. If you are the prime plaintiff in a personal injury related lawsuit it’s strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as soon as possible.

There’s Always Legal Recourse

Whether you were the victim of a slip and fall accident in a store like Walmart or target, or if you are heard at the gym while working out, you do assume some risk but there may also be some liability on the property owner and or business operator. An attorney who is well-versed in Houston, Texas tort litigation will be able to answer all the questions that you may have related to your claim.

Driving while intoxicated is a serious criminal offense in Houston and elsewhere in the state of Texas. You’ll need a Board Certified specialist DWI defense lawyer like Tad Nelson if you’ve been criminal charged with Driving While Intoxicated in Houston.

Every year the Texas Department of Public Safety initiates a campaign in which DWI offenders are targeted in Houston surrounding areas. These annual DWI Stings normally occur between a 3 week period which includes both the Christmas and New Years holidays.

Law enforcement already knows their targeted areas based on internal high risk classifications which is loosely based on crash statistics and previous arrests.

If you’re partying in the Houston area over the holiday period be sure to either take a cab or roll with a designated driver to avoid any chance of being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.

Whether you’ve been accused of DWI in Angleton, Alvin, Pearland, Brazoria, or anywhere else in Brazoria County, TX, you’ll need a smart & experienced attorney on your side if you’re to have a chance of winning your case in the court of law.

Hire a Reputable DWI Attorney

Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson is well known as a DUI defense lawyer in Houston, but has law offices close to Brazoria County Texas and normally appears at the Brazoria County criminal court house to defend persons accused of drunk driving another criminal offenses related to being intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle.

In spectacular fashion the Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates wins multiple cases on behalf of its clients as a result of board certification, recognition is a forensic DWI lawyer with scientific credentials, and over 20 years of experience defending persons accused of related offenses.

Police have a number of methods of spotting drunk drivers which include watching for the use of turn signals, quickly identifying drivers who make sharp or wide turns, in addition to spotting drivers who may be driving a bit slow as compared to the rest of traffic. Lena veering and failure to maintain a single lane of traffic is also a common reason that motorists are stopped in Brazoria County under suspicion of drunk driving.

Refuse Roadside DWI Test in Brazoria County

When a person stopped for drunk driving a be subjected to fill sobriety testing, forced blood draw, or the officer may compel you to participate in the use of a breathalyzer device.

Don’t take the test.

An Experienced Brazoria County Attorney

If you take the test you’re giving up your right to refuse testing, which may help aid in your prosecution in the event that your case goes to trial. The Brazoria DWI defense lawyers of the Law Offices of Tad Nelson and Associates have years of experience getting cases dismissed long before they make at trial, and if they do make to trial, we have a history of succeeding on behalf of our clients are charged with DWI.